Norwalker Heide Follin talks about her artistic process

Published 3:01 pm, Wednesday, March 30, 2016

ROWAYTON -- To create abstract paintings like the one that garnered a blue ribbon in Rowayton Arts Center's upcoming exhibition, Heide Follin combines a variety of techniques.

Working primarily in acrylic ink and paint, "I use brushes, scraping tools, bamboo brushes and pens," the Norwalk artist said. "I like a variety of mark-making and layering. A lot of layering and transparent areas."

"Sometimes I pour paint, using all different size brushes and scraping paint along the paper" with a trowel, Follin added.

Follin's "Blazing Leaves"--which won first prize for acrylics at RAC's yearly "Abstraction" show, opening Sunday--was inspired by autumn foliage near her Cranbury home.

"I was driving in my car past Cranbury Park in the fall time, and I had to stop and take a whole series of photos of light coming through the trees," Follin told The Hour. "They were so beautiful, with the blazing leaves, so I took a whole lot of photographs there. It was the color and the light that grabbed me."

The prize-winning painting was actually a study for a series that would eventually comprise larger works.

"('Blazing Leaves') is actually a smaller, very fluid painting that I did in preparation for bigger works," Follin said.

The prize for "Blazing Leaves" is not the first recognition Follin has received at RAC, where she has been a member for over 10 years. In fact, she took home Best in Show at last year's "Abstraction" exhibition, and more recently won another first prize for acrylics.

"It is very exciting for me that all of this is happening," Follin told The Hour.

Since abstraction is a broad and elusive concept, last year Follin helped other RAC members define the terms for consideration in the Center's abstraction-themed exhibition.

"We say abstract art is a departure from reality, and a visual language of form, color and line," Follin said. "This show is an opportunity for people to experience diverse approaches to abstract art."

"There are different degrees of abstraction, and the show includes lots of different degrees of that," Follin added.

Being a member of Rowayton Arts Center has helped Follin's art practice, she told The Hour.

"Rowayton Arts Center helps all of us artists get ourselves out in front of the public and gives us an opportunity to be with other artists that are increasingly bettering their skills all the time," Follin said. "We have a very talented group."

This year's "Abstraction" exhibition features art in various mediums and is judged by Eleanor Flatow, co-director of New Canaan's Carriage Barn Arts Center. It will be on view until April 24 with an opening reception this Sunday, April 3, from 4 to 6 p.m.